Cooling appakattjs



Oct. 27, 1931. w. H. SWEETLAND COOLING APPARATUS Filed May 22, 1929 I INVENTOR. h VV/LL/AM fifiwifirm/vo u. (8. @au/m ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 27, 1931 PATENT OFFICE WILLIALIH. SWEETLAJD', OF SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA COOLING. APPARATUS Application filed May 22 My present invention relates to cooling apparatus and primarily for cooling. air for ventilating purposes and the like.

The objects of this invention are: First, to provide a cooling apparatus adapted for residences, hotels, rooming houses, oifice buildings, shops, or other buildings housing people, for cooling the temperature of the buildings or the air therein from extremely high to comfortable temperatures; second, to provide .an apparatus of this class which may be also used to great advantage for cooling air or other gases for other purposes, such as the preservation of vegetable matter, meats, and the like, where a great drop of temperature is not necessary or desired; third, to provide a cooling apparatusof this class which has unusually large capacity in proportion to its size; fourth, to provide an apparatus of this class which is very economical to operate and one which requires very little attention; fifth, to provide an apparatus of this classv which has only one form of core but comprises a multiplicity of such cores positioned side by side and which may be reversed and interchanged, as desired, for forming a zigzag circuitous passage through the cooler for cooling the air, passing therethrough, to a great extent, or for cooling the air to a less degree by merely reversing some of the cores; sixth, to provide an apparatus of this class whereby a large cooling system=may be provided by merely combining the separate units into a battery, .or by placing batteries of cores end to end in a unitary container or receptacle; seventh, to provide a novel means of supplying water to the cooler and for maintaining a constant level of the water therein for constantly supplying the cores or porous members with moisture; eighth, to provide novel means for sealingthe upper portions between the cores and the receptacle against direct passage of air between the inlet and the outlet of the receptacle; ninth, to provide a cooling apparatus in which its large capacity and cooling efiiciency is partially effected by a novel arrangement of a blower with relation to the cooling receptacle; and, tenth, to provide an apparatus of this class 1929. Serial No. 365,184.

'which is durable, eflicient and which will not if readily deteriorate or get out of order.

With these and other objects in view as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, com-n bination and arrangementof parts and portions, as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters.

this application in which: i v

Figure 1 we slde elevatlonal view of my cooling apparatus in one form'of construcof reference thereon which form apart of tion; Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof; Fig. 3 is 5 an end view thereof; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional elevational view thereof taken through H of Fig; 2 and also showing diagrammatically a blower, on a vertical scale, in connection with the intake of the 7o cooling receptacle; 5 is a transverse sectional view thereof taken through 5-5e of Fig. 4 and, Fig. 6 isan enlarged fragmentary view thereof taken through 66 of Fig. 5.

Like characters of reference refer to simi-o lar parts and portions throughout the views ofLthe drawings.

My cooler, as illustrated in the drawings, is enclosed in a rectangular receptacle 1 which may be relatively long, depending upon theso number of cores or cooling members placed within the receptacle. The receptacle is preferably made of metal so as to'be substantially air and water tight. In the form of my cooler as illustrated in the drawings,

there isprovided atone end an air intake opening orconductor 2 and at the opposite end a discharge opening or conductor 3. The former is positioned near the oppositeand near one lateral side, and is connected to the discharge end of a suitable blower 11,;while the latter is positioned nearthe bottom and the opposite lateral side of the receptacle. Within the receptacle 'is positioned a plurality of the cores or cooling members above mentioned and designated 4 in the drawings. These cooling members extend transversely of the longitudinal extent of the receptacle and are positioned adjacent or against each other and spaced from the end wallsof the .1 0

receptacle. These cooling members are porous members, preferably moulded integrally from concrete or other suitable material. At the lateral ends of the cooling members are preferably integrally moulded end plates 4a. At the upper and lower ends or sides of the cooling members are heads 46 and 40. Be tween the heads of each cooling member is a vertically zigzag wall 465 which extends between the end plates 4a. This zigzag wall forms at the opposite sides thereof and in staggered relation a plurality of horizontal depressions or channels in the opposite sides of the cooling members, as shown best in Fig. 4. hen two of the cooling members are positioned with their sides adjacent each other, there is formed between two adjacentcooling members a wide vertically zigzag channel A. Through the zigzag wall of each cooling member, and transversely with respect to said cooling members, is a plurality of holes ac which connect the opposite sides of the cooling members and also connect the horizontal depressions or channels at the opposite sides thereofl These holes are arranged in only one-half, or less than one half of the cooling member and at one side only of the horizontal median plane passing therethrough. Thus. when air passes into the conductor 2, it passes downwardly between the end wall of the receptacle and the first cooling member, and then passes through the transverse holes 46 in the lower half of the first cooling member, then. passes upwardly through the wide vertically zigzag channel A, then passes through transverse holes in the upper half of the second cooling member, then downwardly into the next vertically zigzag passage A and so on until the air is finally discharged through the conductor or opening 3. In each head and 4:0 is provided a horizontal depression or recess 4/ which extends longitudinally with respect to the cooling member. These depressions. aside fromlightening the bulk and weight of the cooling or porous members, provide depressions or reservoirs at the upper sides of the cooling or porous members for receiving and containing water, which Water is adapted to seep from such reservoir through the pores, crevices, and interstices of the cooling or porous members until substantially the whole of the exposed surface of the member 4: is moisture laden and adapted to be impinged and evaporated by the air coming in contact with such surface and passing through the various channels in the apparatus. Thus it will be seen that the cores or cooling members are or may be made of identical construction but merely reversed, that is, the normally lower side of one is positioned in reverse order and coincident with the normally upper sides of adjacent and alternate members 4.

The top or cover portion of the receptacle is provided with a multiplicity of downwardly extending portions 1a which in this instance are depressions, there being as many depressions as cooling members. These depressions 1a extend into the longitudinal depressions or recesses 47 at the normally upper sides of the members 4.- and extend also into the water therein so as to seal substantially the space between the upper portion of the receptacle and the upper sides of the members 4 against the passage of air from the inlet to-the outlet of the receptacle over the upper sides of the cooling members.

The bottom of the receptacle is preferably filled with water so as to seal as much as possible the spaces between the lower portions of the cooling members and the bottom of the receptacle.

The means for maintaining a constant level of water, or a constant supply of water in the depressions or recesses if at the upper sides of the cooling members, may consist of a manifold 5, a receptacle 6 and cock 7. The manifold 5 is provided with a plurality oi downwardly extending outlets 5a which extend into the depressions lf and normally below the level of the water therein but above the lower portions of the depressions 1a. The manifold is )lOVlLlBd with an inlet 5.7) above the main portion of the manifold, said inlet being in the form of a socket. Into this socket is adapted to fit the mouth of a bottle or other suitable receptacle 6 for supplying water to the manifold. In the manifold between the lower portion thereof and,

the tapered inlet is positioned the cock 7 which is preferably closed only when dosiring to refill or replace the receptacle 6. \Vith this apparatus, it will be seen that as soon as some of the water in any one of the depressions 4f seeps into the cooling or porous member and the level of the water within the depression lf is lowered below the lower end of the outlet 5a extending therein, wat is discharged by gravity into such depre until the level thercoi is positioned above the lower end of the outlet 5a.

In the side walls of the depressions la may be provided a glass plate 8, as shown best in Fig. 6, for visibly indicating the level of water in the respective depressions or recesses 4f.

As the warm or hotair from the room or outside is forced into the inlet 2 and through the various circuitous and zigzag passages in which all surfaces are moisture laden, the moisture or water is evaporated, cooling the air to a marked degree and discharging said cool air from the outlet 3. It will be note that if less cooling is desired, alternate cores or cooling members may be reversed by mere- ].y removing the cover, thus materially shortening the path of the air through the apparatus and the exposure of the moisture thereto.

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1 I i have found that by blowing the air -1- through theicooling receptacle, the circulating airis brought into contact with allpor tions of the receptacle and cooling members and the air is cooled more quickly and to a lower temperature thanwhen the air is exhausted from the receptacle by connecting the suction end of the blower to the discharge opening or conductor 3.

' Though I haveshown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, but desire to include in thescope of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement "substantially as set. forth in the appended claims.

7 Having thus described myinvention, what 1 I claim as new and desire to secure by'Letters Patent is: 'i

1. In an apparatus of the class described, a receptacle having inlet and discharge openings, and a plurality of porous memberspositioned side'by side therein, there being provided between said porous members air I passages connected at their opposite ends to Y alternate ad acent airpassages torminga substantially circuitous zigzag air passage between the inlet and the outlet openings.

9,. In an apparatus ofthe classdescribed, a receptacle having inlet and discharge openings, and a plurality of porous members positioned side byfside therein, there'being provided between said porous members air pas-V sages connected at-their opposite ends to alternate adjacent air passages forming a substantially circuitous zigzagalr passagebeings, tioned side byside therein, there being providedbetween said porous members air passages connected at their opposite ends to al-- tween the inlet and the outlet openings, said porous members having depressions at their upper ends for receiving and containing Water and for supplying a constant source of .moisture to the porous members;

described, a

3 In an apparatus of the class receptacle having inlet and discharge opena plurality of porous members positernate adjacent air passages forminga substantially circuitous zigzag air passage betweenthe inlet andtheoutlet openings, said porous members having depressions at their upper ends for a receiving and containing- Water and for supplying'a constant source of ,moisture to the porous members, and a manifold positioned at theupper portion of the receptacle and connected with a source of water above the manifold and at substantially atmospheric pressure, said manifold having' a multiplicity of outlets extending into therecesses at the upperv ends of the porous mem bers and normallybelow the level of thewaterinthe recesses.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, a

receptacle having inlet'and discharge openings, a plurality of porous members positioned side by side within the receptacle, there beingprovided between the porous members a continuous air passage from the inlet to the outlet opening, said porous members having at their upper sides recesses adapted tocontain water for-constantly supplying moisture to the porous members, and a manifold positioned at the upper portion of the receptacle and connected with asouroe'of water above the manifold and at substantially atmospheric 'pressur'e',-said manifold; having a multiplicity of outlets extending into the recesses at the upper ends of the porous members and normally below the level of the Water in the 5'. In an apparatus ofthe classdescribed, a

receptacle having inlet and outlet openings, a plurality of porous members positioned side by side therein, there being provided between the porous members air-cooling passages, and the alternate porous members having transverse openings attheir coincident,

ends, connecting each air passage at. the opposite ends to alternate air passages forming a zigzag air-cooling passage between, through and in contactwith the porous members from thelinlet to the outlet openings of the receptace.

'6. In an apparatusof the class described, a

receptacle having inlet and outlet openings,

air passagerbetween the inlet and outlet openings of the receptacle, said porous members being of identical construction, the adjacent porous members being positionedtin reverse order in the'receptacle. I I

7. In an apparatus ofthe class described, a 'receptacleh aving inlet and outlet openings, a plurality of porous members positioned side by side therein,therebeing provided between the porous members air passages. and the alternate porous members having transverse openings at their coincident ends, connecting each air passage at the opposite ends to alternate air passages forming a zigzag air-passage between the inletgand outlet openings of the receptacle, theupper sides of the porous members being provided with longitudinal depressions for receiving and containing water for constantly supplyin g moisture to the porous members.

8. In an apparatus of the class described,

a receptaclehaving inlet and outlet openings, v a plurality of porous members positioned side by side therein, there being provided between the porous members air passages, and the alternate porous members having transverse openings at their coincident ends, connecting adapted to receive and contain a supply of each air passage at the opposite ends to alternate air passages forming a zigzagair passage between the inlet and outlet openings of the receptacle, the-upper and lower sides of, the porous members being provided with depressions, said porous members being of substantially identical construction and the adjacent porous members being positioned in reverseorder, the depressions at the normally upper sides of the porous members being and reversible porous members forming be tween each other air passages communicating a their opposite ends with the coincident ends of adjacent passages and forming a substantial zigzag continuous air passage between the inlet and outlet openings, said porous members having at their opposite upper and lower sides longitudinal depressions, the depressions at the upper! sides being adapted to receive and contain water for supplying the porous members constantly with moisture.

11. In an apparatus of the class described, a receptacle having inlet and outlet openings, and a plurality of porous members positioned side by side within the receptacle, the intermediate portions of the porous members having zigzag walls and corresponding staggered depressions at the opposite sides of the zigzag walls, the depressions at the adjacent sides of adjacent porous members being positioned in overlapped relation forming a zigzag passage between adjacent porous members, the opposite ends of the zigzag passages communicating with coincident ends 7 of alternate adjacent zigzag passages.

12. In an apparatus of the class described, a receptacle having inlet and outletopenings, and a plurality of porous members positioned side by side within the receptacle, the intermediate portions of the porous members having zigzag walls and corresponding staggered depressions at the opposite sides of the zigzag walls, the depressions at the adjacent sides of adjacent porous members being positioned in overlapped relation forming a zigzag passagebetweenadjacent porous members, the alternate ends of adjacent porous members being provided with a multiplicity tous passage between the several porous memhers between the inlet and outlet openings of the receptacle.

13. In an apparatus of the class described, a receptacle having inlet and outlet openings, a plurality of porous members positioned sldo 7 by side within the receptacle and having air passages therebetween connected at their opposite ends with the coincident ends of adjacent and alternate passages, said porous members having at their upper sides depres sions for receiving and containing Water, the upper portion of the receptacle having downwardly extending portions extending into said depressions and the water therein for sealing the upper portion of the receptacle against direct communication between the inlet and outlet openings.

14. In an apparatus of the class described, a receptacle having inlet and outlet openings, a plurality of porous members positioned side by side within the receptacle and having air passages therebetween connected at their opposite ends with the coincident ends of adjacent and alternate passages, said porous members having at their upper sides depress; sions for receiving and containing water, the upper portion of the receptacle having downwardly extending portions extending into said depressions and the water therein for sealing the upper portion of the receptacle against direct communication between the inlet and outlet openings, and a manifold positioned at the upper portion of the receptacle, communicating with a source of water and provided with a multiplicity of outlets extending through the top of the receptacle into said depressions and terminating above the lower portions of the portions of the receptacle extending into said depressions.

15. In a cooling apparatus, a cooling receptacle having inlet and discharge openings, a moisture conducting means positioned within the receptacle and provided with a plurality of adj acently positioned relatively sharp angular zigzag air passages therein, said passages being connected at their opposite ends to alternate adjacent air passages forming a long continuous irregular and interrupted air passage in said means between the inlet and discharge openings, a water supply means in association with the last mentioned means for supplying the same with moisture, and a blower connected with its discharge to the intake opening of the receptacle and adapted to blow air through said long continuous passage.

16. In a cooling apparatus, a cooling receptacle having inlet and discharge openings, and a moisture conducting means positioned within the receptacle and provided with a. plurality of adj acently positioned relatively sharp angular zigzag air passages therein, said passages being connected at their opposite ends to alternate adjacent air passages forming a long continuous irregular and 1nterrupted air passage in said means between the inlet and discharge openings. p

'In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, thislelth day of May, 1929.

WILLIAM H. SWEETLAND. e 

